City of Adelaide celebrates Make Music Day on Saturday 21 June with a free festival.
Over 220 performers will play in 40 venues across the City and North Adelaide from 9am to midnight on Make Music Day. A global event which has its origins in France as 'Fête de la Musique', this free festival will showcase the colour, life and character of Adelaide's grassroots music culture, and offers accessible, all ages and family friendly events.
Co-designed with our local music community and Alliance Française Adelaide, Make Music Day is a highlight of Adelaide's 10th anniversary as a UNESCO City of Music. It is a key initiative of the City of Adelaide's Live and Local program, delivered in partnership with the national Live Music Office and APRA AMCOS.
The Lord Mayor said the festival was developed in response to feedback from Council's Live Music Forum, held in November 2024, which brought together 100 members of the local music community.
"We heard that thriving music scenes create opportunities for young people, support original music across a range of genres, promote music venues of all sizes, and offer all ages and family friendly events", she said.
"We listened to the challenges that performers from diverse cultural backgrounds, young and emerging bands, neurodivergent artists, and performers living with disabilities can experience, and we acted."
The City of Adelaide's tailored match-making process will see musicians play to new audiences and venues. City visitors can expect to hear interesting combos at much-loved live music venues and solo acts performing at cafes and bars, galleries and bookstores. Bands, choirs and community groups will also pop up in some unexpected places, from retail and cultural hubs to city squares.
Executive Director of Alliance Française Adelaide Anne-Lise Heynen-Giri said Fête de la Musique turns every corner into a stage and brings music to everyone.
"We're thrilled to see this French-born celebration come to life in Adelaide's streets, boosting the city's vibrant live music scene".
Make Music Day highlights include:
Adelaide Central Market celebrates 'Fete de la Musique' with a French-inspired musical line-up.
Adelaide Railway Station will thrill commuters with the Sun of Africa Drum and Dance Ensemble.
Hindmarsh Square/Mukata and Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga will ring with drums, bagpipes, community bands and more.
Rundle Mall hosts the Primary Schools Festival of Music Choir in the Gawler Place canopy.
Make Music Day delivers on City of Adelaide's Strategic Plan commitment to amplify Adelaide's status as a UNESCO City of Music.
